Extradition or asylum?: India’s Parliamentary panel questions Hasina’s status

Abu Jakir :

Members of India’s Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs have sought clarification regarding the status and privileges provided to Bangladesh’s ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who has been residing in the country.
The inquiry was directed at Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri during a committee meeting in Delhi on Wednesday. While Misri’s immediate response remains undisclosed, his briefing to the committee touched upon critical aspects of India’s relationship with Bangladesh.
The session, chaired by Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, also provided an overview of Misri’s recent visit to Dhaka, where he met with key figures in Bangladesh’s interim government.
Misri reportedly stated that India does not support Sheikh Hasina’s criticisms of Bangladesh’s interim government, led by Dr. Muhammad Yunus.
He further emphasized that India’s bilateral ties with Bangladesh transcend individual political parties or governments and are rooted in people-to-people connections.
Misri also clarified that Sheikh Hasina is utilizing personal communication devices for her political statements, refuting claims that India has provided her with any official platform to conduct political activities. This, he noted, aligns with India’s longstanding policy of non-interference in the internal matters of neighboring countries.
Political Implications and Analysts’ Views
The issue has sparked a significant debate among political analysts. Speaking to the media, analyst Mahbub Alam stated that India’s relationship with Bangladesh should prioritize broader national ties over alignment with any specific political leader or faction.
Meanwhile, Hasina’s continued presence in India has led to growing tension with Bangladesh’s interim government. The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) in Bangladesh
has issued an arrest warrant for Hasina, accusing her of crimes against humanity. Prosecutors allege that the 77-year-old leader is responsible for hundreds of deaths during violent protests earlier this year.
Prominent human rights lawyer Toby Cadman, who advises the ICT, called on India to respect Bangladesh’s judicial process. “As a democratic nation, India should honor any formal request from Bangladesh to extradite Sheikh Hasina,” Cadman said following a meeting with ICT officials.
Rising Diplomatic Pressures
Hasina fled to India in August following deadly clashes in Bangladesh, leaving more than 1,000 people dead. Her diplomatic passport was revoked shortly after her escape, and she now resides under heavy security in a safe house on the outskirts of New Delhi.
Despite pressure from Dhaka, Indian officials have not committed to her extradition. Bangladesh’s legal adviser, Asif Nazrul, insists that India is obligated under a 2013 extradition treaty to return Hasina if requested.
However, the treaty allows for exceptions in cases of political offenses, providing India with a potential legal route to deny extradition.
India’s Diplomatic Balancing Act
Indian officials have been careful in their public statements. “She came here for safety reasons and continues to stay,” Randhir Jaiswal, a spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, recently told reporters.
This delicate balancing act highlights India’s broader diplomatic strategy, which seeks to maintain strong ties with Bangladesh while navigating the complexities of Sheikh Hasina’s case.
As the situation unfolds, political analysts and regional experts will closely watch how India performs its responsibilities under international law while preserving its historically significant relationship with Bangladesh.